UK police recently launched an investigation into the death of a 34-year-old man whose body was found in a garden shed — and the postmortem examination reveals he died as a result of multiple stab wounds.
According to the UK Mirror, Zafran Nawaz, of Birmingham, was first reported missing around lunchtime on Thursday, May 21.
At approximately 11:30 p.m. the following day, West Midlands Police discovered his body in a garden shed at an address on Carlton Road, Bordesley Green. Police found Nawaz’s car, a white Toyota Yaris, abandoned about a mile away on Adderley Road a few days later.
After the postmortem examination determined Nawaz had been stabbed to death, police arrested 11 people known to be close to him. The five men, aged 45, 33, 28, 24 and 23; four women aged 50, 41, 25 and 19; and two boys, both aged 15, have all been released on police bail since their arrest, according to the Birmingham Mail.
Much as they are in the U.S., garden sheds are a popular feature throughout the UK, with 21 million people owning a shed on their property. Typically, they are more accustomed to holding garden tools and yard working equipment than to acting as the site of bloodshed.
In the aftermath of Nawaz’s passing, numerous tributes appeared on social media in his memory.
“I know this guy and he is so sweet to hurt him in this way is evil,” a woman who knew him posted on Facebook.
Others expressed shock and concern over the brutality of Nawaz’s death, and what that means for the neighborhood’s safety.
“Not a safe place to live anymore,” local resident Saqib Shaf posted on the Birmingham Mail Facebook page.
The West Midlands Police Department’s investigation is ongoing as officials continue to look for individuals connected with Nawaz’ death in any way.
“Officers remain at the property in Carlton Road while forensic examinations are carried out and we will also be conducting house-to-house inquiries in the area,” Detective Inspector Warren Hines said. “We are keen to hear from anyone with information about the man’s death and I would encourage people who may have seen his car recently to contact us.”